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United States Patent |
5,152,088
|
Hahn
|
October 6, 1992
|
Excavating tooth point and method of replacement
Abstract
A novel tooth point, locking pin and method of replacing a worn point
wherein the point is held in place by a pin having a resilient laterally
outwardly extending projection received in a recess provided in the inner
surface of an L-shaped rearwardly extending tongue on the point, the pin
having an elastomeric core within a steel jacket.
Inventors:
|
Hahn; Frederick C. (Aloha, OR)
|
Assignee:
|
ESCO Corporation (Portland, OR)
|
Appl. No.:
|
699200 |
Filed:
|
May 13, 1991 |
Current U.S. Class: |
37/458 |
Intern'l Class: |
E02F 009/28 |
Field of Search: |
37/141 T,142 A,142 R
299/92
172/772,753
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
Re33042 | Sep., 1988 | Emrich.
| |
564664 | Jul., 1896 | Trim et al. | 37/142.
|
2702490 | Feb., 1955 | Launder.
| |
3312003 | Apr., 1967 | Troeppl et al. | 37/142.
|
3323235 | Jun., 1967 | Petersen | 37/142.
|
3400476 | Sep., 1968 | Petersen | 37/142.
|
3520076 | Jul., 1970 | Nichols.
| |
3520224 | Jul., 1970 | Hensley et al.
| |
3526049 | Sep., 1970 | Nichols.
| |
3526435 | Sep., 1970 | Krekeler | 37/142.
|
3894349 | Jul., 1975 | Moreau | 37/142.
|
4155665 | May., 1979 | Kaarlela.
| |
4192089 | Mar., 1980 | Schwappach.
| |
4335532 | Jun., 1982 | Hahn et al.
| |
4404760 | Sep., 1983 | Hahn et al. | 37/142.
|
4505058 | Mar., 1985 | Peterson | 37/142.
|
4516340 | May., 1985 | Launder | 37/142.
|
4577423 | Mar., 1986 | Hahn.
| |
4761900 | Oct., 1988 | Emrich | 37/142.
|
4811505 | Mar., 1989 | Emrich | 37/142.
|
4823487 | Apr., 1989 | Robinson.
| |
4903430 | Feb., 1990 | Kreitzberg et al. | 37/142.
|
4965945 | Oct., 1990 | Emrich.
| |
5074062 | Dec., 1991 | Hahn et al. | 37/141.
|
Primary Examiner: Reese; Randolph A.
Assistant Examiner: Warnick; Spencer
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Tilton, Fallon, Lungmus & Chestnut
Parent Case Text
This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser.
No. 580,850 filed Sep. 10, 1990 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,074,062.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A replacement point for an excavating tooth comprising relatively
elongated, unitary body having an earth engaging edge at the body forward
end and an adapter nose-receiving socket in the body rear end,
said socket being defined by generally horizontal top and bottom walls and
a pair of generally vertical sidewalls,
at least one of said sidewalls extending rearwardly beyond said top and
bottom walls to provide a rearwardly-extending tongue, said tongue at the
rear end thereof being equipped with integral, inwardly extending flange
means providing a generally vertical surface adapted to confine a locking
pin,
said tongue having top, bottom inner and outer surfaces, said inner surface
being equipped with a recess having generally horizontal top and bottom
recess walls extending generally parallel to said tongue top and bottom
surfaces,
said top and bottom recess walls being adapted to engage a locking pin
projection.
2. The replacement point according to claim 1 in which said inner surface
adjacent said top surface is angled toward said outer surface.
3. The replacement point according to claim 2 in which said inner surface
adjacent said bottom surface is similarly angled toward said outer
surface.
4. The replacement point according to claim 1 in which each of said
sidewalls extends rearwardly beyond said top and bottom walls to provide
rearwardly-extending tongues, each said tongue at the rear end thereof
being equipped with integral, inwardly extending flange means, each said
tongue having said recess.
5. The replacement point of claim 4 in which each said inner surface
adjacent said top and bottom surfaces is angled toward said outer surface.
6. The replacement point of claim 4 in which said flange means extends
between said top and bottom surfaces.
7. A replacement point for an excavating tooth comprising relatively
elongated, unitary body having an earth engaging edge at the forward end
thereof and an adapter nose-receiving socket in the rear end and defined
by top, bottom and a pair of sidewalls,
at least one of said sidewalls extending rearwardly beyond said top and
bottom walls to provide a rearwardly-extending L-shaped tongue, said
L-shaped tongue having a rearwardly-extending leg and an
inwardly-extending flange means,
said tongue having top, bottom, inner and outer surfaces, said tongue
L-shape being provided by a vertically-extending slot in said inner
surface,
said inner surface of said rearwardly-extending leg being equipped with a
generally rectangular recess approximately midway of said top and bottom
surfaces and having top and bottom recess walls spaced respectively from
said tongue top and bottom surfaces,
said top and bottom recess walls being adapted to engage a locking pin
projection.
8. An excavating tooth comprising an adapter having a rear end adapted to
be mounted on an excavator, said adapter having a nose at the forward end
thereof, a relatively elongated point having an earth-engaging forward end
and a socket at the rear end thereof, said nose being received in said
socket,
said point having top, bottom and sidewalls with at least one of said
sidewalls extending rearwardly beyond said top and bottom walls to provide
a rearwardly extending tongue, said tongue at the rear thereof being
equipped with inwardly-extending, integral flange means to provide a
pin-receiving slot,
said tongue forward of said flange means having top, bottom, inner and
outer surfaces, a tongue recess in said inner surface intermediate said
top and bottom surfaces, and having recess top and bottom walls extending
generally parallel to said tongue top and bottom surfaces,
said adapter nose being equipped with vertically extending nose slot means
confronting said tongue slot and cooperating therewith to provide a
pin-receiving opening, and
a locking pin installed in said opening and including an elastomeric core
and a metal jacket, said metal jacket having an integral
outwardly-extending projection received in said tongue recess between said
recess top and bottom walls, said locking pin being confined by said
flange means.
9. The excavating tooth according to claim 8 in which said nose slot means
has front and rear opposed vertically extending, generally parallel walls
in confronting relation to front and rear opposite sides of said pin
jacket.
10. The excavating tooth according to claim 8 in which said nose slot means
includes a vertically extending wall contacting the forwardly facing side
of said pin.
11. The excavating tooth according to claim 8 in which said tongue inner
surface is angled toward said tongue outer surface adjacent said top and
bottom surfaces.
12. The excavating tooth according to claim 11 in which said nose slot
means is equipped with a surface confronting said tongue inner surface,
said nose confronting surface being angled inwardly away from said pin
adjacent the top and bottom ends of said slot means.
13. An excavating tooth comprising an adapter having a rear end adapted to
be mounted on an excavator, said adapter having a nose at the forward end
thereof, a relatively elongated point having an earth-engaging forward end
and a socket at the rear end thereof, said nose being received in said
socket,
said point having top, bottom and sidewalls with at least one of said
sidewalls extending rearwardly beyond said top and bottom walls to provide
a rearwardly extending tongue, said tongue at the rear thereof being
equipped with inwardly-extending, integral flange means to provide a
pin-receiving slot,
said tongue forward of said flange means having top, bottom, inner and
outer surfaces, a tongue recess in said inner surface intermediate said
top and bottom surfaces,
said adapter nose being equipped with vertically extending slot means
confronting said tongue slot and cooperating therewith to provide a
pin-receiving opening, and
a locking pin installed in said opening and including an elastomeric core
and a metal jacket, said metal jacket having an integral
outwardly-extending projection received in said tongue recess,
said pin being relatively vertically elongated and being generally
rectangular in transverse plan to provide four vertical sides, said pin
metal jacket including two pairs of opposed vertical side clips, one pair
of vertical side clips having inwardly extending end flanges for confining
said core and providing metal surfaces for impact driving said pin into
said opening, the other pair of vertical side clips having angled ends
embedded in said core, one of said other pair of vertical side clips being
equipped with said outwardly-extending projection.
14. An excavating tooth comprising an adapter having a rear end adapted to
be mounted on an excavator, said adapter having a nose at the forward end
thereof, a relatively elongated point having an earth-engaging forward end
and a socket at the rear end thereof, said nose being received in said
socket,
said point having top, bottom and sidewalls with at least one of said
sidewalls extending rearwardly beyond said top and bottom walls to provide
a rearwardly extending tongue, said tongue at the rear thereof being
equipped with inwardly-extending, integral flange means to provide a
pin-receiving slot,
said tongue forward of said flange means having top, bottom, inner and
outer surfaces, a tongue recess in said inner surface intermediate said
top and bottom surfaces,
said adapter nose being equipped with vertically extending slot means
confronting said tongue slot and cooperating therewith to provide a
pin-receiving opening, and
a locking pin installed in said opening and including an elastomeric core
and a metal jacket, said metal jacket having an integral
outwardly-extending projection received in said tongue recess,
said nose slot means being equipped with a recess confronting said tongue
recess, said metal jacket having a second projection received in said nose
recess.
15. An excavating tooth comprising a relatively elongated, unitary point
having an earth engaging edge at the forward end thereof and an adapter
nose-receiving socket in the rear end defined by top, bottom and a pair of
sidewalls,
at least one of said sidewalls extending rearwardly beyond said top and
bottom walls to provide an integral, L-shaped tongue having top, bottom,
inner and outer surfaces, said L-shaped tongue including a
rearwardly-extending leg and inwardly-extending flange means,
a recess in the inner surface of said rearwardly-extending leg intermediate
the height of said tongue and having recess top and bottom walls extending
generally parallel to said tongue top and bottom surfaces,
a nose-equipped adapter with the nose thereof received in said socket, and
locking pin means interposed between said point and adapter and confined by
said flange means, said locking pin means being equipped with a projection
resiliently received in said recess between said recess top and bottom
walls.
16. The excavating tooth according to claim 15 in which said locking pin is
generally rectangular and includes an elastomeric core within a metal
jacket.
17. The excavating tooth according to claim 15 in which said rearwardly
extending leg has surface segments adjacent the top and bottom thereof
inclined away from said pin.
18. The excavating tooth according to claim 15 in which said recess is
generally rectangular.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF INVENTION:
This invention relates to an excavating tooth point and method of
replacement and, more particularly, to the use during installation of a
novel point and locking pin means.
Since before the turn of the century, excavating teeth have included
replaceable points mounted on adapters which, in turn were secured to the
digging edge of an excavator. Depending upon the type of excavation, a
given adapter can be successively equipped from anywhere from 5 to 30
points to maintain sharp penetrating edges. Historically, the point and
nose of the adapter were equipped with vertically aligned openings in
which a locking pin was received. An early version is seen in U.S. Pat.
No. 564,664. In the early 1980's a new form for securing the point to the
adapter was developed as shown in co-owned U.S. Pat. No. 4,335,532. This
made use of helical thread means on the point nose and adapter socket with
a side-mounted pin means. Subsequently, for smaller sizes of teeth, the
pin means was dispensed with and detent means were provided on rearwardly
extending tongues as seen in co-owned U.S. Pat. No. 4,557,423. For the
larger sizes, an improved side lock was provided as seen in co-owned U.S.
Pat. No. 33,042. A novel point for a side locking pin is seen in co-owned
U.S. Pat. No. 4,965,945. It has now been found that certain of the smaller
sizes function better with a novel point with a modified side pin lock
means as described hereinafter.
It will be appreciated that the securement of the point on the adapter is a
compromise between two opposing demands. The way of securing must be
strong enough during the excavating operation so as to maintain the point
on the adapter against the tremendous shock loads encountered. Yet, when
replacement is necessary, the means for securement must be readily
removed. It will be further appreciated that often the replacement is
performed under rather primitive conditions in the field where no
assistance equipment is available. Typically, the locking pin has to be
removed with only a hammer and drift pin which makes it difficult to
overcome a tightly held securement.
According to the invention, the balance of opposing requirements is
achieved through the provision of a novel point for side mounted pin where
the pin is removed by compressing a sidewardly extending projection
received within a recess in the inner surface of a rearwardly-extending
tongue on the point.
Other advantages and details of operation can be seen in the ensuing
specification.
The invention is described in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in
which:
FIG. 1 is a fragmentary exploded view of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the elements of FIG. 1 in
partially assembled condition;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view such as would be seen along the
sight line 3--3 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 3 and with the locking pin
installed,
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view such as would be seen along the sight
line 5'5 applied to FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the locking pin;
FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the sight line 7--7 of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the locking pin; and
FIG. 9 is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the illustration and reference first to FIG. 1, the numeral 20
designates generally an adapter, the numeral 21 generally designates a
point and the numeral 22 generally designates a locking pin. The adapter
20 has a shank portion 23 which normally is bolted, welded, etc. to the
lip of an excavator (not shown). Extending forwardly from the shank 23 is
the adapter nose 24 which is constructed generally in accordance with the
teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 4,335,532, having a plurality of helical
threads as at 25. As seen in FIG. 2 the point 21 has a forward earth
engaging edge 21a and rearwardly extending tongues or ears as at 26 which
cooperate with the adapter in receiving the pin lock means 22 of FIG. 1.
This can be seen more clearly from a consideration of FIGS. 4 and 5.
Referring now to FIG. 2, it is seen that the nose 24 is received within a
conforming socket 27 at the rear end of the point 21. More particularly,
the nose has exterior top, bottom and sidewalls in conventional fashion
with the helical thread means 25 protruding therefrom. Likewise, in
conventional fashion, the socket 27 has similar top, bottom and sidewalls
which conform essentially to the exterior walls of the adapter nose 24.
Referring to FIG. 1, the numeral 28 designates a vertically extending slot
in the sidewall 29 of the nose 24. This cooperates with the slot 30--still
referring to FIG. 1--in the ear 26 of the point 21 for the receipt of the
pin lock means 22--see also FIGS. 4 and 5.
The locking pin 22 (as designated in FIG. 1) is seen to include a
relatively elongated element 31 which is equipped with a side projection
32. As will be explained in detail hereinafter, the projection 32 is
provided by a part 33 of a steel jacketed wall--see the right hand portion
of FIG. 6. The projection 32 is adapted to be received within a recess 34
(see FIG. 3) provided in the inner surface 35 of the tongue 26. The
assembled relationship can be seen in FIG. 4.
For point reversibility, two tongues 26 as seen in FIG. 1 may be
provided--one for each sidewall 36. In conventional fashion, the sidewalls
36 extend between and connect the top and bottom walls 37 and 38,
respectively--compare FIGS. 1 and 3. In some instances however--for
specialized, non-reversible points, only one sidewall 36 is extended
rearwardly to provide the tongue 26. Further, each tongue 26 is equipped
with integral, inwardly-extending flange means 39--see FIG. 1. In the
illustration given, the flange means 39 is developed by slotting the
tongue 26 as at 30. The flange means 39 serves to confine the locking pin
22--see FIG. 5 and may either extend from top to bottom of the tongue 26
as shown or may have spaced apart portions such as the inwardly-extending
lugs shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,965,945. Express reference is hereby made to
the '945 patent for details not shown herein.
The recess 34 (see FIG. 3) is located intermediate (and preferably midway
of) the top surface 40 and the bottom surface 41 of the tongue 26.
Advantageously, the inner surface 35 is tapered or angled outwardly toward
the outer surface 42 as at 43 and 44 adjacent the top and bottom surfaces
40 and 41, respectively. This facilitates installation of the
projection-equipped locking pin 22.
It may be advantageous in some instances to provide a second (and opposing)
projection 32a--see FIG. 4--on the locking pin. This is received within a
recess 34a in the adapter nose 24--see FIG. 3. In such a case there is no
possibility of inserting the pin incorrectly, besides, providing
additional bearing engagement. Also of advantage in this arrangement is
the provision of end tapers on the nose wall 35a as at 43a and 44a.
Thus, in summary, there is provided a replaceable point for an excavating
tooth which includes a relatively elongated, unitary body 21 having an
earth engaging edge 21a at the forward end thereof and an adapter
nose-receiving socket 27 in the rear end and defined by top, bottom and a
pair of sidewalls as at 37, 38 and 36. At least one of the sidewalls
extends rearwardly beyond the top and bottom walls to provide a
rearwardly-extending tongue 26. The tongue at the rear end thereof is
equipped with integral, inwardly extending flange means 39. The tongue has
top, bottom, inner and outer surfaces as at 40, 41, 35 and 42,
respectively. The inner surface 35 is equipped with a recess 34
intermediate the top and bottom surfaces 40, 41 and is adapted to engage a
locking pin projection--as at 32. Further, the inner surface 35 adjacent
the top surface 40 is angled as at 43 toward the outer surface 42 and
optimally the inner surface 35 adjacent the bottom surface 41 is similarly
angled as at 44 toward the outer surface 42.
Locking Pin
The details of the relatively elongated locking pin 31 which constitutes
the pin lock means generally designated 22 can be appreciated best from a
consideration of FIGS. 6 and 7.
Referring to FIG. 7, the pin 31 is an elastomeric sandwich pin with four
steel sides which provides advantageous functionality. The core
(advantageously of rubber) is designated 45 and is seen to be confined
between the previously mentioned side 33 and an opposing side 46. The
other two sides are enclosed by steel clips 47 and 48. The side 33 has the
projection 32 while the side 46 has the projection 32a.
Now referring to FIG. 6, it will be seen that the sides 33 and 46 are made
of metal clips which are angled at their ends as at 49 and 50 relative to
the clip 33 and are embedded in the core 45 (see the upper portion of FIG.
6, particularly relative to the end 49).
As seen best in FIG. 8, the opposing clips 47 and 48 are equipped with end
flanges as at 51 and 52 relative to the clip 47 and as at 53 and 54
relative to the clip 48. The end flanges 51-54 provide a metal surface for
driving the lock in and removing it and as a stop for vertical movement
during installation and removal. The inwardly tapered ends of the clips
33, 46 as at 49, 50 assist in squeezing the elastomeric body 45 and also
serve to squeeze the projections 32, 32a inwardly during installation and
thereby facilitate positive seating. Thus, there is provided a fully metal
jacketed rubber or like elastomeric pin which functions when installed
like the prior art solid steel pins yet which has advantageous and unusual
resiliency. The close fit of the clips 33 and 46-48 loads the elastomeric
core 45 tightly so that there is positive outward force on all four sides
exerted when the locking pin is installed. This is further assisted by
providing a longitudinally extending hole or opening 55 in the resilient
core 45 and which is seen to be compressed into a generally oval shape 55'
in FIG. 5.
Referring now to FIG. 9 which is an enlargement of a construction similar
to FIG. 5, the force vectors applied by and to the locking pin 22 during
earth working can be seen. The only difference between the showings in
FIG. 5 and FIG. 9 lies in the relocation of the rear wall of the slot 28.
This can be appreciated relative to the embodiment of FIG. 5 by reference
to FIG. 1 where the rear wall of the slot 28 is designated 28a. In FIG. 9,
this wall is substantially moved rearwardly to the position 128a without
any effect on the operation of the inventive tooth. It will be appreciated
that the rear wall 28a of the slot 28 or the rear wall 128a of the slot
means 128 performs no function in confining the locking pin. The locking
pin is clamped along its rear side by the inwardly extending flange means
39 or 139. As the pin is installed, it bears against the flange means 39,
139 to force the point tighter onto the adapter and having a bearing
provided by the rear wall 28a of the slot 28 would interfere with this
operation.
Now referring specifically to FIG. 9, it is seen that the locking pin
generally designated 122 has a plurality of force vectors applied thereto.
Those extending outwardly of the generally rectangular pin 122 are
developed by the push or resiliency of the elastomeric core against the
vertical side clips. The arrows pointing toward the pin 122 represent the
reaction from the mating areas in the point, tongue and nose. For example,
the vector V.sub.1 is the reaction force of the point on the pin 122. The
vectors V.sub.2, V.sub.3 and V.sub.4 are those representing the reaction
forces of the tongue 126 on the pin 122. Lastly, the vectors designated
V.sub.5, V.sub.6 and V.sub.7 are those generated by the reaction of the
adapter nose. This demonstrates how the locking pin 122 bears on all four
sides in the three part assembly of point, adapter, nose and lock. It is
this combination of forces that results in the distortion of the central
longitudinal hole 55 to the shape 155 in FIG. 9.
Important in this respect insofar as the point 21 or 121 is concerned is
the provision of the inwardly facing recess 34. For the smaller size
points to which the invention advantageously applies, this recess is
generally rectangular to conform to the shape of the projection 32 in the
clip 33. Excellent results are obtained when the projection 32 has a
vertical dimension of about 0.375" (9.5 mm.) and a horizontal dimension of
about 0.300" (7.6 mm.). The clip 33 has an overall height of about 1.73"
(43.9 mm.) with the ends at 49 and 50 being angled inwardly at an angle of
about 15.degree.. It will be appreciated that the operational advantages
are not limited to these dimensions.
Operation
It is believed that the operation of the invention can be best understood
by a discussion of the steps employed for replacing a worn point--this
being relevant in view of the shorter wear life of points as contrasted to
adapters.
The adapter 20 is a relatively elongated unitary metal body having a
forwardly projecting nose 24 at one end. Normally, the nose is defined by
upper and lower walls flanked by slightly forwardly convergent sidewalls
and is equipped with a plurality of helical thread means projecting
outwardly of the nose. The adapter has a shank portion 23 rearwardly of
the nose for mounting the adapter on excavating equipment as by bolting,
welding, etc. At least one of the nose sidewalls 29 is equipped with a
vertically extending outwardly facing slot means 28, 128 which has a
forward generally planar forward wall (designated 128b only in FIG. 9).
The worn point is usually characterized by a loss of penetrating edge 21a
and is generally wedge-shaped. The point 21 includes a relatively
elongated unitary metal body having the aforementioned digging edge 21a at
its forward end and a socket 27 extending forwardly from its rear end. The
socket 27 has interior walls conforming to the nose upper, lower and
sidewalls and also the thread means 25. At least one of the point
sidewalls has an integral tongue 26 extending rearwardly of the point rear
end. The tongue at the rear end is equipped with an integral, inwardly
extending flange 39, 139 to provide a slot 30 aligned with the nose slot
means 28, 128. The tongue is characterized by a top surface 40, a bottom
surface 41, an inner surface 35 and an outer surface 42. The inner surface
35 is equipped with a recess 34 intermediate the top and bottom surfaces
40, 41. An elongated pin generally designated 22 and specifically
designated 31 is mounted in the aligned slot 30 and slot means 28, 128.
The pin 31 has a generally rectangular cross section defined by forward,
rear, inner and outer sidewalls developed by clips 48, 47, 46 and 33,
respectively. The outer sidewall 33 is equipped with an outwardly
extending resilient projection 32 received in the recess 34.
The method steps include exerting a force on the end of the pin 31 to drive
the pin vertically followed by a continuation of exertion of the force
until the pin is completely removed from the aligned slot 30 and slot
means 28, 128. This loosens the worn point whereupon the worn point can be
rotated on the thread means 25 sufficient to permit longitudinal
translation of the point 21 on the nose 24. This is followed by removing
the worn point 21 from the nose 24 and providing a new point also having a
recess-equipped tongue 26.
Next, the new point is installed on the nose 24 first by longitudinal and
thereafter rotational movement relative to the nose 24 to generally align
the slot means 28, 128 of the adapter nose 24 and the slot 30 of the new
point 21. Next, a new pin 31 is installed in the aligned slot and slot
means 30, 28 or 128. This new pin again has an outwardly resilient
projection 32. Thereafter a downward force is exerted on the upper end of
the reinstalled new pin to drive the projection 32 into guiding engagement
with the nose and point and place the projection 32 in the recess 34.
While in the foregoing specification a detailed description of the
invention has been set down for the purpose of illustration, many
variations in the details hereingiven may be made by those skilled in the
art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
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